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abscissa

[ ab-sis-uh ]

noun

, Mathematics.
, plural ab·scis·sas, ab·scis·sae [ab-, sis, -ee].
  1. (in plane Cartesian coordinates) the x-coordinate of a point: its distance from the y-axis measured parallel to the x-axis.


abscissa

/ æbˈsɪsə /

noun

  1. the horizontal or x -coordinate of a point in a two-dimensional system of Cartesian coordinates. It is the distance from the y -axis measured parallel to the x -axis Compare ordinate
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


abscissa

/ ăb-sĭsə /

, Plural abscissas ăb-sĭsē

  1. The distance of a point from the y-axis on a graph in the Cartesian coordinate system. It is measured parallel to the x-axis. For example, a point having coordinates (2,3) has 2 as its abscissa.
  2. Compare ordinate


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Word History and Origins

Origin of abscissa1

1690–1700; feminine of Latin abscissus (past participle of abscindere to abscind )
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Word History and Origins

Origin of abscissa1

C17: New Latin, originally linea abscissa a cut-off line
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Compare Meanings

How does abscissa compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

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Example Sentences

The corresponding value of y determines a point P in accordance with the rule that x is the abscissa and y the ordinate of P.

To any value of x there corresponds a point N on the axis of x, in accordance with the rule that x is the abscissa of N.

Curves have been prepared having pressure as an abscissa and elasticity as ordinate.

The curve then crosses the abscissa upwards, and the positive curvature reaches a maximum.

Abscissa represents duration of exposure and quantity of incident light.

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abscisic acidabscission